Boston Public Library will host a public program on Wednesday, April 10, at 6 p.m. to update library users and interested residents on the early phases of the Johnson Building Improvement Project. The program will take place in Rabb Lecture Hall, located on the concourse level of the Johnson Building at 700 Boylston Street. Amy E. Ryan, president of Boston Public Library; Michael R. Colford, director of library services; and architect William L. Rawn will lead the April 10 program.

The Johnson Building, which opened in 1972, is the portion of the Central Library in Copley Square that is at the corner of Boylston and Exeter Streets.

Last summer, the library issued a request for proposals for help in exploring ideas on how to improve visitors’ first impression of the Johnson Building, enrich library services and spaces, and generate cost-sharing options and additional revenue.

Preliminary efforts to develop ideas for the Johnson Building began in November 2012 when a community advisory committee was formed and continued into December 2012 when the firm William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc. was selected to lead the master planning process.

Prior to the April 10 program, Boston Public Library will mount a display in the center atrium of the Johnson Building where library users and visitors can review a floor plan of the existing layout of the building and are encouraged to provide comments and suggestions on the project. The display will remain up for the entire month of April.

Background on the Johnson Building Project to date is published on the Boston Public Library website. Those not able to attend the April 10 public program or visit the display are welcome to leave a comment on the library’s Compass blog at www.bpl.org/compass or send an email to compass@bpl.org. “Compass” is the name of Boston Public Library’s strategic plan.

About BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY Boston Public Library has a Central Library, twenty-five branches, a literacy center, map center, business library, and a website filled with digital content and services. Established in 1848, the Boston Public Library has pioneered public library service in America. It was the first publicly supported municipal library in America, the first public library to lend books, the first to have a branch library, and the first to have a children’s room. Each year, the Boston Public Library hosts thousands of programs and serves millions of people. All of its programs and exhibitions are free and open to the public. At the Boston Public Library, books are just the beginning. To learn more, visit www.bpl.org.